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When the Pathfinder Society acquires a copy of A Thread of Silver, a written survey of some of Numeria's most closely guarded sites, the Technic League dispatches its own agents to the Pathfinder lodge in Nantambu to recover the text and make an example of those who would investigate Numeria's otherworldly secrets. Can the PCs prevent the League from stealing this valuable tome and destroying the Society's foothold in the Mwangi Expanse? For levels 5-9.
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At the request of Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine you are on your way to the Mwangi Expanse. After a lengthy boat ride from Absalom, traveling across the Inner Sea, down the western Garundi coastline, avoiding the Eye of Abendego, and briefly stopping in the Aspis Consortium-run port city of Bloodcove. You managed to avoided any conflict with the Consortium while there, and were able to rent a boat to carry you up the Vanji River to your final destination, Nantambu.
Nantambu is only a few mere hours away...you've had plenty of time to get to know your fellow Pathfinders.
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A bright, flashy Aasimar with blonde hair and golden eyes, slightly pointed ears but not quite like an elf peek out of his flowing golden locks, "Hah, pleasure to meet you, fine folks, the names Harmonious, sing it though, don't say it. It's not a boring name,"
While on the boat, and anytime he is on a boat, he acts like a pirate, usually rather convincingly and to the utmost annoyance to the crew.
"Arr, ye be steerin' your tiller right up my rudder! Hidey-Ho and riddle-dee-tim, I'll have me sum grog and rum"
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Dioneo is a noble young man very confident with himself. Once on the boat, he quickly glances at the other pathfinders and smiles widely.
"Greetings, fellow adventurers! I am indeed the Baron Dioneo, second of his name, Starnon-Oberigo. A pleasure to meet you all. Haha!"
As he enters, the room's temperature increase by a few degrees.
You notice quickly that, even if he has the manners and the noble grace, he is not human at all. His white-flaming hair and his burnt skin make you think he is an Ifrit. His clothing includes some features you recognize as chelaxian.
Looking at the aasimar, he raises a flamy eyebrow and sits down on a barrel, slow-clapping. "Glad Master Shaine provided a performer to entertain us for the length of the trip."
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A dwarf fighter has joined you and quickly you realize that he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. However, he's easy to get along with as long as you can put up with such a simple creature.
More boats? Ugh, them boat rides ain't my favorite.
After listening to Harmonius the dwarf smiles broadly. Rum! Yeah, that'll do, right fella? So, you one of them bard things, amirite?
As he first sees Dioneo the smile fades, replaced by a common look of wonder and astonishment. Whoa, you gots a fever or somethin'? I can feel that heat all the way o'ver here! You look real palelike also... you don't like boats neither, do ya?
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A small gnome enters the room with a number of small round vials attached to a belt wrapped around his chest. He wears a vest with tools on it and has a pair of spectacles at the end of his nose.
"Ah Harmonius good to see you again. We have new Pathfinders here! I move to meet new people"
He proceeds to quickly look at nearly everything in the room dashing from here to there.
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His movements, fluid even on the boat, "Ah a bard, no I'm just a worshiper of Saranrae, the great goddess of fire, sun and healing, she speaks through my scimitar, and my scimitar speaks through my dance!"
Motioning to Dimble, "Well met, lettuce hope we don't get trapped in another dungeon like the last time!"
To the rest of the group, "It's a pleasure to meet you all and I can't wait to see us in action!"
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The intermittent breeze off the Vanji River provides welcome respite from the jungle’s torrid oppression. The docks in Nantambu seem as busy as any in Absalom, Katapesh, or Sothis. Hundreds of dockhands move quickly to offload exotic cargo from vessels ranging from singleperson canoes to fifty-foot-long river barges. All manner of items can be seen entering the city including rare animal pelts, fine linens, and fruits and vegetables from the far corners of Golarion.
Just past the docks, vast open-air markets completely encompass the mosaic-decorated towers making up Nantambu’s inner city. Hundreds of glass chimes and beaded charms hang from the towers’ balconies and
windows, casting a kaleidoscopic radiance across the city’s skyline.
Another time, exploration of the jewel of the Mwangi Expanse would be a welcome excursion, however, Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine’s words to you from before the journey’s start still ring clear.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the Society recently acquired what we believe to be the very core of the fabled Sky Key. The entirety of the organization is now focused on finding the four remaining pieces of the mysterious, fractured item, as well as finding any information we can regarding Numerian technology."
“We received word that an agent in Nantambu has obtained a copy of A Thread of Silver. The original copy of this book was stolen from the Technic League in Numeria generations ago. Since that time, several copies have surfaced. In each case, however, the books’ owners were savagely murdered and the copies were destroyed by Technic League agents."
“We don’t know if the book that was purchased is legitimate, but the very mention of its name is treacherous. Venture-Captain Nieford Sharrowsmith is off on an important expedition, so the Nantambu lodge is in the hands of our trusted associate, Aya Allahe. I need you to travel to the covert lodge—in the back of Sharrowsmith’s Exports on the outskirts of Nantambu. Take this coin and show it to the guards standing outside the inner sanctum. Tell them that you require an appraisal. They will recognize the coin and let Aya know you’ve arrived. Work with her to make sure the existence of the book remains a secret and see it safely to Absalom. No one must learn we purchased the book or of our operations in Nantambu.”
The Master of Scrolls’s words fade from memory as the early morning sun continues its ascent into the clear Mwangi sky.
You know a bit about the Technic League, it's a formerly secret society whose chief goal is the acquisition of personal and worldly power through magic and ancient technology. The League is incredibly protective of their secrets and power, and they ruthlessly hunt down those who leave Numeria with technology or knowledge thereof, including such books as A Thread of Silver. Those said to possess such jealously guarded secrets are often brutally murdered to maintain the League’s sole control of such technology. Also, this incredibly rare book is said to contain an account of the first ventures into the largely unexplored Numerian dungeon known as Silver Mount. The original copy of this book was stolen from the Technic League, and since then the cabal has hunted down any who are said to own a copy, or know the secrets possessed within.
Particularity savvy folks might know more.
Many believe the Technic League is the true power behind Numeria’s ruler, Kevoth-Kul, who holds the title “Black Sovereign.” Members are said to meld technology into their very bodies, and use it to fuel their magic and vice-versa.
Should the Pathfinder Society gain access to a legitimate copy of this rare book, it could provide incredible insight into the Sky Key and other Numerian technology that has heretofore been beyond the
organization’s reach and understanding.
Assuming you first head for the the secret Pathfinder Lodge. As you arrive you see a towering wooden gates stand open, leading to a vast courtyard surrounded by thick, stone walls. Dozens of colorful awnings cover rows of tables and carts, as hundreds of customers peruse all manner of exotic goods. Two large, vaguely human statues rise from a central fountain. Their faces look up to the sky and their gaping mouths overflow with water feeding into the basin below. Beyond the fountain stands an immense stone building lined with monolithic pillars, behind which is a facade carved with great beasts native to the Mwangi jungles.
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Just a late substitute of whom was appointed for the mission but lately failed to be on time in Absalom to take the ship, Eldon sits back and listens to the rest of the companions, knowledgeable they are more experienced than himself.
When the group finally reaches Nantambu and the Pathfinder lodge, the bald elf offers his best appearance so the group is granted an audience with Aya Allahe "I think the same. There is no reason to just take extra precautions, the things seem normal here around"
If the group reaches to the door of the lodge for greetings and entrance, Eldon supports the leading companion by showing his own Wayfinder.
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Seelah with Eldon and the others close behind reveals the coin given to you by Kreighton Shaine to the guards at the door.
I see, are you here for an appraisal? The guard replies before leading you all inside the building.
Please wait right here in the foyer, I'll be right back. And he heads off into a nearby door. Returning a few minutes later with a tall Mwangi aasimar woman with golden eyes and lips, smooth dark skin that shines with a celestial radiance, and modest, traditional Mwangi attire.
I am Aya Allahe, may I see the coin you want appraised.
Looking at the coin, Very rare indeed, let's go in here for more privacy. She leads you into the westernmost appraisal room. Once securely in the appraisal room, she formally addresses you.
Welcome Pathfinders. It’s good to see that your leaders take your recent acquisition seriously. If you will follow me, I will lead you to your lodge.
Aya runs her hand along the wall and presses a hidden catch. The wall slowly recedes, revealing a small room lit by a single torch.
Please, follow me.
Aya then leads you through a the door, past a vaguely human wooden statue, into a warmly lit lounge, and finally into another room with comfortable benches and a table with a large symbol of the open road proudly displayed on it's top. After you are all seated Aya begins:
Please think of this as your home away from home. You will find it currently empty, as Nieford departed several weeks ago and took most of his agents with him. The venture-captain left only Arvellos Rand behind to watch over the grounds until he returned.
She pauses for a moment, Rand had only just arrived in Nantambu with the item whose discovery prompted your visit here. Now, he has now been missing for two days.
Your precious book is locked in the lodge’s hidden vault, but I fear it may not be safe even there. Rumors ride the winds that strange mechanical creatures have been seen in the corners of the city and dark shadows stalk the night. I fear that the book’s rightful owners are here in my city and it’s only a matter of time before they find this location— putting my investment and my safety at risk.
From what I have heard of the Technic League, they will stop at nothing to destroy the book and lay waste to any who would stand in their way. It is important that you find Arvellos Rand and make sure no one can connect a copy of A Thread of Silver to our facility. Should the League learn of its location, I fear the defenses of this lodge would not survive their magical and technological onslaught.
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August just kinda sits patiently, letting the smart people in the room do all of the thinking. Still, he does ask a question. How do we find this fella? You got an idea or, umm, whatcha call it... inkling or somethin'? Fellas just don't disappear ya know. Unless he was one of them magic fellas! Maybe he don't wanna be found!
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Looking to Eldon, You likely don't have time to make a copy that would fool them, chances are good they could spot the forgery. But it's one option you could try. Presumably, only Rand, myself, Sharrowsmith, and you. But if the rumors I hear are correct, the Technic League is in the city for some reason and what more important than this one.
Then looking to August, I wish I knew where to start. I agree either something bad has happened to him or he's gone to ground for some reason. That's why you must find Arvellos. Make sure he is safe and ensure he has not exposed the Society’s purchase to the Technic League. Beyond that, you might investigate the rumors of the League’s presence here in Nantambu. If the Technic League is indeed in Nantambu, we need to make sure they don’t learn of the Pathfinder Society’s presence or involvement in the book’s acquisition. Maybe you could plant rumors across the city of someone else’s involvement. Perhaps your Aspis Consortium friends in Bloodcove? Whatever it takes to lead the Technic League away from the city.
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"Good. I like the idea of implanting the rumor the book is in Bloodcove with the Aspis" Eldon nods at Aya as he talks "What else can you tell us about the disappearance? Whom has seen him last? Can we visit his bedroom or any place he usually frequents?"
"Also about the Technic League, where have they been seen? Do you know anyone to question about it? Who has tell you about them in Nantambu?" he suddenly realises he is pressing the woman perhaps too much "Sorry, but the sooner we get into the task the easiest we find a solution for this"
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Looking to Eldon, Rand, yes, we'll he was last seen by one of the market guards, he was headed out of the Exports, never returned. We've already looked through his things and found nothing that hinted at where he was going. Perhaps your best bet his to canvas the surrounding area see if anyone remembers seeing him. You might try Marti, over at the Sodden Fish, he always seems to know something.
As for the Technic League, word is Hadzi Kahina, who runs a small booth in the city’s western markets, may be have been one of the ones to see them.
Then, pausing for a thoughtful moment, she adds, If the Technic League is indeed in Nantambu, you might consider fortifying the lodge’s defenses. I know several powerful merchants in Nantambu who would support our cause.
The lodge contains two guardians that currently lack key components to properly function. That wooden statue we passed on the way in is actually a wood golem. All it takes is the essence of a baobab sapling’s root and a small ritual to reactivate it. Also, In Nieford’s office hangs a suit of Zenj ceremonial armor that, when fitted with a special black diamond from the Brazen Peaks, animates and will defend this lodge to the best of its abilities. I know of at least three merchants in town who are likely to have such a gem.
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"Very well. Do you have an idea where to find the essence of a baobab sapling’s root? And who might know the proper ritual to do to activate the wooden golem?" asks Dioneo to Aya.
"What do you think, folks? Should we begin by acquiring the items to defend the lodge or go straight into the mud and search for the technic league agents?"
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Eldon nods glad of the answers "It sounds just a great plan. First secure the lodge, then look for the Technic League and Rand"
To Aya the elf just asks "Good, hand us the contact with those merchants and we will look to see this done the faster the possible. Discretion is a must, so we probably will want to try to disguise and find an excuse to acquire the components"
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For the essence of a baobab sapling’s root, I would try Bunda Malinzi alchemy shop; as for the ritual we have a book around here somewhere. I'll track it down while you look the root. Aya says with confidence.
She also provides you a list of jewelers who might have a black diamond, as well.
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About Nantambu:
Nantambu is the Mwangi Expanse’s second largest city, with a population of over 14,000 people of mostly Zenj and Bonuwat tribal heritage. It is the home of the Magaambya, one Golarion’s oldest and most storied academies of arcane knowledge. Members of Zenj tribes are believed to be the most populous of the Mwangi peoples, living in hundreds of small tribes in the jungles and savannas of the Mwangi Expanse. Some of the tribes live in villages alongside the region’s many rivers while others are nomadic herders who graze their cattle or goats in the Expanse’s grasslands and hills. The Bonuwat are seafarers, and as such are often the group most encountered by the outside world. The Mwangi found in ports such as Bloodcove or the Shackles tend to be Bonuwat. They are excellent fishermen and sailors. Nantambu maintains a remarkable aura of security and normalcy despite the lack of defensive fortifications or a standing army, primarily due to its strong magical history. The tallest tower in Nantambu is known as the Natambiyan. The gold-flecked tower is said to contain the Watcher’s Stone of Jatembe, a magical scrying globe used by Old-Mage Jatembe himself. After Earthfall ushered in the Age of Darkness, it is said that Old-Mage Jatembe and his Ten Magic Warriors fought to reclaim fragments of civilization and enlightenment in the aftermath of the comprehensive cultural collapse. Their followers were said to have settled Nantambu near the end of the Age of Anguish and built the Magaambya to stand as Garund’s center of learning.
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Finding Bunda Malinzi shop is easy enough, it's near the center of town not far from the Magaambya. Entering the shop, it's not that big but is jammed with all kind of vials, bottles, and flasks. A Zenj women with a long hair piled high on the top of her head in braids greets you warmly.
Now then what can Bunda help you with today, you look a rough and tumble group, how about some of those good healing elixirs?
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Bunda smiles at Seelah as she makes her request, but turns her face serious as Eldon speaks.
Well I wish I had some of that myself, it's somewhat rare, but I know how to find it, it does require harvesting from Baobab saplings which are several hours out into the jungle.
She focuses on the Paladin, I can tell you how to find it and it won't take me long to extract the essence. Bring enough back for my supply too and I'll give you the essence and half off on any single alchemical item I have in the store.